MELTA TargetTracking app for iPhone and iPad

Purpose:

MELTA TargetTracking app is part of an endoscopic training system in a virtual “gaming” environment that would be considered enjoyable/desirable by most surgeons. The users of this system would perceive its use to be exactly like playing a computer game in a virtual environment and not view it as “training”. Use of the training system would amount to “stealth learning”. This would encourage trainee to participate in endoscopic visualization training activities, which would improve their endoscopic viewing skill. In addition, surgeons tend to be highly accomplished and are competitive by nature. By providing real time comparison to both peers and those further along in training, users would be motivated to improve skills to rank higher.

How to use:

A target reticle of three concentric circles appears on the screen. The center circle is green. The second circle is yellow. The outer circle is red. As the instrument/finger resides in any of these circles, visible flashing in the circle’s color will occur to provide feedback of the touched location. Audible feedback will also be provided based upon the touched location with the concentric circles. The training will be over if the time is up. This target will move across the screen in a random pattern defined by straight line movements between the corners of the squares of a 6 by 6 visible grid. Audible and visible feedback will be provided for awarded points.